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The first two numbers of the serial number is the year and the next two numbers are the week of the date of manufacture.

chunkyfrog wrote: I wonder if there's any lookup on release dates of the various machine brands/models; so we can tell what's really OLD;

Definitely NOT with ResMed.
Getting that information from them is like "pulling teeth".
I suggested to ResMed that since they have a system for looking up that information, they should make it accessible to patients to look up online themselves.
I hear the "thud" when they fell off of their chair laughing!

and how old-especially when shopping for a pre-owned back-up or travel model--or even dealing with any seller.

Right now (at least for ResMed) the "Run" hours (machine hours) are the best guage for used machines.

I purchased a brand new S9 AutoSet & H5i Heated Humidifier on 12-22-11 that were a little over 6 months old when I purchased them. They were both manufactured 6-18-11.

I subsequently requested & was granted an "exchange" for both.
My newest S9 AutoSet was manufactured 10-18-11.
My newest H5i Heated Humidifier was manufactured on 11-11-11

I can't help feeling that there should be a requirement preventing a DME from dispensing a discontinued machine to a patient on Medicare--at least for full price!

chunkyfrog wrote:I can't help feeling that there should be a requirement preventing a DME from dispensing a discontinued machine to a patient on Medicare--at least for full price!

Well I am NOT on Medicare, but I refused getting a 6 month old machine (even if it was brand new).

Apparently ResMed is part of the problem.
They keep machines in their warehouse for 3 months or more before they sell them to the DME providers.

My initial machines were purchased by the DME provider from ResMed at the end of September 2011. All of those had been manufactured in mid or early June 2011.

When the DME provider granted me the exchange, all of the S9 & H5is they had in inventory were manufactured in mid June.

They ordered my newer versions directly from ResMed in mid January & they still got an S9 mfg 10-11 & an H5i mfg 11-11

But since I was able to independently verify that the S9 contained the most current Software Version, I accepted them.

The H5i came with the "Standard Water Tub".
That is how I know it now comes apart.
The DME provider let me keep the new "Standard Water Tub" and the "Cleanable Water Tub" from my 1st H5i. So, now I have both.

The H5i came with the "Standard Water Tub". That is how I know it now comes apart. The DME provider let me keep the new "Standard Water Tub" and the "Cleanable Water Tub" from my 1st H5i. So, now I have both.

I specifically ordered ResMed model 36901, which is (according to ResMed), the H5i with the cleanable (dishwasher safe) chamber. We'll see what I get, but I feel like I've already put a lot of effort into being an informed consumer.

Apria can step up and honor my Rx (which listed every ResMed model #) or at the very least I can go to a different branch. I've been this tired for a few years, what's another couple of weeks?

sol wrote:The first two numbers of the serial number is the year and the next two numbers are the week of the date of manufacture.

I am told by someone much wiser than I, that what sol wrote IS the case for the Respironics machines.

But, that is not how ResMed does it.

The 1st 4 digits of the Serial Number are the year, but you must substitute a zero for the 2nd digit.

The 1st 2 digits of the Serial Number (BEFORE you substitute a zero for the year) identifies the place of manufacture.

To get the EXACT date of manufacture, you must call ResMed & give them the Serial Numbers (machine & Humidifier).

If they ask you if the Humidifier was purchased at the same time as the machine, tell them NO. Otherwise they will not bother looking up the Humidifier Serial Number & just tell you it was manufactured on the same date as the machine.

I have yet to find a Humidifier with the same manufacture date as the machine. They package them together AFTER they are each separately manufactured.

Unfortunately, you sometimes have to call ResMed several times before you get the full answer. They will try to get away with either just giving you the year, the year & the month, etc. Be persistent until you find a weak one who will give you the EXACT date.

Thanks for the info, Stu

biker wrote:Thanks for the info, Stu

You may want to go back & re-read my comments.

I have edited them to read that what Sol said IS true for the Respironics machines. My comments are only applicable if you have a ResMed machine (which I see you do).

Jeannh wrote:

The H5i came with the "Standard Water Tub". That is how I know it now comes apart. The DME provider let me keep the new "Standard Water Tub" and the "Cleanable Water Tub" from my 1st H5i. So, now I have both.

I specifically ordered ResMed model 36901, which is (according to ResMed), the H5i with the cleanable (dishwasher safe) chamber. We'll see what I get, but I feel like I've already put a lot of effort into being an informed consumer.

Apria can step up and honor my Rx (which listed every ResMed model #) or at the very least I can go to a different branch. I've been this tired for a few years, what's another couple of weeks?

Hope this helps - in late 2012/early 2013 replaced the standard water chamber with a cleanable 2-piece model. However, it is not dishwasher safe (due to the seal material I think). The 3-piece dishwasher safe model has a stainless steel tub (instead of aluminum) and a silicone seal.